Outdoor Tropical Plants
Have you returned from a vacation in tropical paradise and would you like to have your own topical retreat in your backyard or garden? Guess what, you can even if having a temperate climate. It may seem hard to believe but there are a few tropical plants that tolerate low temperatures and even frost, and can be easily left outside during the winter. But even tropical plants that are not cold-tolerant can be grown outside too, however, they will need more care than the frost-resistant ones.
You are most likely primarily interested in the beauty of the tropical plants but you are highly recommended to ask yourself if you are really prepared to move them inside before each winter or protecting them from frost. It may not seem important when seeing that gorgeous plants but it is highly important because the plants that are not cold-tolerant will not survive outdoors if not properly protected or moved inside your home or garage. If you like both the beauty and convenience, you should definitely opt for the latter because you might feel tired of this yearly routine. Try to find tropical plants that are frost-resistant or consider growing them indoors. But if you are so impressed by a particular plant that you simply must have it, go for it.
If you grow tropical plants that are cold-resistant outdoors, you do not need to provide them any special care other than finding them a proper location. Where to plant your tropical plants depends on the species you have selected but most tropical plants prefer sunny areas and lots of moisture. For that reason make sure to provide water more frequently than to other plants. However, keep in mind that different plants have different requirements. Read the labels that comes with the plant very carefully or get a book or two that deal with outdoor tropical plants in order to provide them optimal conditions for growth.
In case you intend to grow tropical plants that do not tolerate cold and frost, you should make sure that they are provided optimal conditions for growth too. Care of tropical plants that are not cold-resistant is virtually the same to the ones that are but these plants need to be properly protected or moved indoors before winter. Which option to choose depends on how cold it gets in your region. If the temperatures drop below zero significantly, it is probably best to move your tropical plants indoors. However, if the winters are relatively mild, you can keep your plants outside by providing proper protection against frost. If you are not sure whether your plants can survive outside during the winter, move them indoors.
Before moving your tropical plants indoors, you should gradually limit watering. Also, do not just transfer them inside because a sudden change can cause shock to your plants. It is recommendable to move the plants in a shaded area first to help them adjust on lower amount of light before bringing them indoors. Water them only occasionally during the winter and do not bring them outdoors until the danger of frost has passed.